If there was one thing I was absolutely sure of the next morning, it was this:
I was going to avoid Theodore Vior like he was a walking midterm exam.
I swear, just the thought of seeing his face made my stomach twist. Not because I liked him—no, no, no, nothing like that. It was because I knew something he didn't know I knew he knew—wait, no, he probably knew I knew but he didn't know I knew he knew—
This was confusing.
I shook my head aggressively as Anastasia and Fiona watched me from the school gates with identical concerned expressions.
"What's wrong with your head, Sab?" Fiona asked, squinting. "Did you swallow shampoo again?"
"I did not swallow shampoo," I hissed.
"That was one time," Anastasia whispered loudly—too loudly.
"It was mouthwash," I corrected, crossing my arms. "And I was twelve."
They both stared at me.
"Still embarrassing," the two of them muttered in sync.
I groaned and began speed-walking toward the STEM building, gripping my bag strap so hard the edges dug into my shoulder.
The Henderson University campus looked elegant as always—tall glass buildings, perfect landscaping, students wearing designer clothes as casually as if they were wearing pajamas. Everything screamed money. Wealth. Influence.
And somewhere in this school…
was the boy I was apparently engaged to.
Nope. Not thinking about it.
Not today. Not ever. Goodbye.
"Sab, why are you walking like you stole something?" Anastasia asked, jogging to catch up.
"Because I'm late," I lied.
"You're thirty minutes early," Fiona pointed out.
"Well—I'm late in my heart," I countered, increasing my pace.
They exchanged looks like she's broken, and honestly, maybe I was.
We entered the STEM hallway, the sound of footsteps echoing off the polished marble floors. Students milled around chatting, studying, or pretending to study. Everything felt normal… except me. I felt like a ticking secret bomb.
The worst part?
I couldn't tell anyone.
Not even the two girls who knew more embarrassing things about me than my own diary.
"What's wrong? You're extra weird today," Anastasia whispered.
"Extra," Fiona agreed.
"I'm fine," I lied again.
"You only say 'I'm fine' when you're absolutely not fine," Anastasia said, narrowing her eyes.
"Like when you failed your math quiz?" Fiona added.
"That was a tragic experience," I said defensively.
"You cried," Fiona reminded me.
"I didn't cry. I leaked," I said with dignity.
They stared at me.
"You cried," they repeated.
I groaned and pushed open the classroom door dramatically—only for it to swing too fast and slam into the wall with a loud THUD.
The entire class turned their heads.
Perfect.
Exactly the type of entrance someone completely normal would make.
Anastasia patted my back. "Smooth."
"Graceful," Fiona added.
I glared at them and hurriedly went inside, bowing a little to everyone like I was greeting royalty.
The room was already buzzing—students reviewing notes, fixing hair, gossiping. I scanned the room on instinct, just to see if—
Oh God.
Theodore was there.
Sitting by the window, reading something, looking like a rich prince who stepped out of a magazine. His uniform was crisp, the black tie perfectly straight, and his blue eyes reflected the early sunlight in a way that made him look even colder.
He didn't look up.
Thank the universe.
I immediately hunched my shoulders, crouching behind Anastasia like she was a human shield.
"Why are you hiding behind me?" she whispered.
"Because," I hissed, "I am a delicate leaf today."
"What does that mean?" Fiona asked.
"It means don't let anyone step on me."
Anastasia snorted. "You're acting like a criminal avoiding the police."
"Same vibe," Fiona nodded.
I plopped into my chair, which—of course—creaked loud enough for half the room to hear. Fantastic.
My eyes flicked back toward Theodore.
His hand moved to turn a page, elegant and controlled. He didn't look at me. Didn't glance my way. Didn't act like he was secretly engaged to the clumsiest girl in the universe.
Good.
Keep it that way.
I pulled out my notebook and tried to act normal.
But then…
"Sab," Anastasia whispered, nudging me.
"Hmm?"
"You're staring."
"I AM NOT—" I whisper-yelled, then froze.
I was staring.
Like an idiot.
I immediately swung my head away so fast I almost snapped my neck.
Fiona leaned in. "Why were you staring at the campus president of all people?"
"I wasn't," I said too quickly.
"Suspicious," Anastasia whispered.
"Suspicious indeed," Fiona nodded.
"I'M NOT SUSPICIOUS!" I cried softly.
Both girls frowned at me.
"You're acting strange," Anastasia said.
"Are you sick?" Fiona asked.
"Did you fail another quiz?" Anastasia added.
"Did someone steal your snacks?" Fiona gasped dramatically.
"No!" I groaned, slamming my face on my desk.
They exchanged looks.
"Definitely hiding something," they said together.
I wanted to melt into the floor.
Suddenly, the teacher entered, and everyone scrambled to their seats. I prayed the lesson would distract me, and thankfully it did—for like five minutes.
Then the universe decided to test me again.
"Everyone! Prepare for your project grouping announcement," the teacher said, holding a clipboard.
Oh no.
Group projects were dangerous.
Group projects required interaction.
Interaction led to talking.
Talking led to panic.
Panic led to mistakes—
"And for Group 4… Theodore Vior," the teacher read aloud.
Everyone looked at him with starstruck eyes.
"And Sabrina Navarro."
My soul left my body.
Fiona squeaked. Anastasia hit the desk.
The class turned to stare at me.
I wanted to evaporate.
Theodore finally looked up.
His blue eyes scanned the room until they landed on me.
We made eye contact.
A half-second.
Just a half-second.
I quickly snapped my head away so aggressively my pen flew off my desk and hit the floor.
The universe laughed.
The teacher continued reading the rest of the list. Anastasia leaned close.
"Sab… you're grouping with Theodore," she whispered loudly.
"I KNOW," I hissed.
"This is your chance!" Fiona whispered.
"For what?! A heart attack?!"
"He's the campus president," Anastasia said matter-of-factly.
"He hates loud people!" I whispered harshly.
"So don't be loud," Fiona shrugged.
"I. Can't. Control. My. Volume." I whispered loudly.
They sighed together.
When the announcement ended, the classroom buzzed with energy. Theodore calmly marked something on his notebook, not giving any reaction. He was so composed it almost annoyed me.
I gulped nervously.
What was I supposed to do? Go up to him and say,
"Hey, future husband—uh, project partner—uh, sir—uh—sorry I breathe loudly"?
No.
Absolutely not.
The bell rang, and students started packing their things.
"I have to go," I blurted randomly.
"Where?" Fiona asked.
"Somewhere."
I grabbed my bag.
"Far."
I grabbed my pen.
"Away."
I grabbed my dignity—actually no, I left that behind years ago.
Anastasia grabbed my arm before I escaped.
"Sab. You're hiding something."
"No, I'm not."
"You avoid Theodore like he's your ex."
"I've never had an ex!"
"Exactly," Fiona said suspiciously.
"Ahem."
We froze.
The teacher stood behind us with a clipboard.
"Miss Navarro?"
"Yes?" I squeaked.
"The principal wants to see you. It's about your project."
My heart stopped.
Behind me, Anastasia and Fiona whispered dramatically:
"Oh no."
"Ohhhh no."
"What did Sab do this time?"
I groaned, slapped my forehead, and dragged my feet toward the door.
Operation: Avoid Theodore?
FAILED.
Operation: Survive This Day?
…We'll see.
....